Hello homeowners! Are you planning to sell your house? If so, you may be surprised to hear just how much potential buyers value energy-efficient and eco-friendly features. In fact, a recent report shows 48% of agents or brokers have noticed consumers are interested in sustainability. Whoa! It’s safe to say that energy-efficient homes attract buyers.
So, if you’re considering selling your house, what does this mean for you? It helps you know what you can do to make your house even more appealing to today’s buyers. There is a lot of value in marketing green features to potential homeowners. Let’s take a look at what some of those features are.
Consider Upgrading
Now that you know what you need to do to attract buyers, you may want to upgrade your house in a way that maximizes its green appeal. To do this, you need to work with a local agent (hello there!) to understand what buyers in your area are looking for. The following features, which can have an effect on your overall footprint, have been identified as the most important to buyers:
- Windows, doors, and siding
- Proximity to frequently visited places
- A comfortable living space
- A home’s utility bills and operating costs
Choose Features That Have the Biggest Impact
While your home may not have energy-efficient or eco-friendly features currently, taking action to set up the next owners will make your home more appealing. The upgrades that may have the most impact to potential buyers are:
- Heating and cooling: Ensure your HVAC system is properly maintained and regularly serviced to maximize its efficiency. Especially here in Vegas, all! You know your A/C gets a workout! Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency model, if you don’t have one already.
- Water heater: Your water heater uses a lot of energy — dishwashers, showers, sinks, they all use it! Upgrading to a heat pump water heater can significantly reduce energy consumption and appeal to environmentally conscious buyers.
- Smart thermostat: A big part of your energy bill goes to heating and cooling. Install a programmable thermostat to better regulate temperature settings (it will actually learn what temperature is best for your home, so cool!). This not only enhances comfort but can also lower energy usage.
- Attic insulation: Proper sealing and insulation in your attic help prevent air leaks and maintain a comfortable temperature, reducing the strain on heating and cooling systems.
- Energy-efficient windows: Replacing old, drafty windows with energy-efficient ones can minimize heat transfer and lower your energy bills. Unfortunately, there are no self-cleaning ones (yet).
It’s worth noting that you may be able to take advantage of tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient home installations and upgrades. Hurrah! These incentives could help offset a portion of the costs associated with eco-friendly home improvements. Always a win!
As you prepare to sell your house, it’s important to recognize that real estate agents are valuable resources. I promise we don’t bite! They can help you determine which upgrades would be most appealing for buyers in your area and what green features to highlight in your listing.
Bottom Line
Energy-efficient homes attract buyers and focusing on those features can help make your house more appealing. Let’s connect to ensure you’re choosing the right upgrades for our area.